Coming Soon: Spray-On Solar Panels

Written by Ariel Schwartz
Published on February 5th, 2009
1 Comment
Posted in Solar Energy

Spray-on tans, spray-on solar panels…what’s next? Researchers at the Australian National University are working with Spark Solar Australia and Braggone Oy on a three-year project to develop spray-on solar panels that are both cheap and highly efficient.

Traditionally, solar cells are made of silicon coated with a thin layer of anti-reflective silicon nitrate. The cells are expensive to produce because they are made in a vacuum. With the spray-on method, cells travel along a conveyor belt and are sprayed with hydrogen film and anti-reflective film as they go, thus removing the need for a vacuum.

Scientists working on the project also hope to increase cell efficiency beyond the normal range of 5 to 24 percent.

ANU is currently testing the process, and commercial production is expected to begin in 2011.

Photo Credit: Sustainable Energy Systems

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One Response to “Coming Soon: Spray-On Solar Panels”

  1. Printable and Paintable Solar Cells Make Production More Affordable : CleanTechnica Says:
    August 31st, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    [...] spray-on solar cells is by no means a new approach – the Australian National University has been working on one for the past three years. The University of Texas at Austin team led by engineer Brian Korgel uses [...]